Jan 24, 2012

Ok, so I'll admit, first time trying a green monster smoothie... and quite honestly I was not prepared to like it!

I mean, spinach in a smoothie?? Even though green may be my favorite color, it sounded way too healthy even for my taste! But it's January, a month of new beginnings, resolutions and cleaning our bodies so I was willing to take a chance.

So, after someone recently sent me their recipe I took a chance and tried it for myself. What's the worst that could happen? If I don't like it, I'll just toss it, right?

I had all the ingredients on hand and put them in my blender. Myself, my teenager and my aunt just watched as the blender ran and the smoothie turned into a shade of bright green.

I was the first to test it out, and not bad! Good actually! All I really tasted was the peanut butter and banana, nothing else really stood out. I could get used to this! They all agreed, even my picky teenager thought it was good!

So, why should you try a GREEN MONSTER?? Vitamins!! A, C, K, iron, fiber, folate, lutein, magnesium, potassium, protein and calcium! Give it a try and see what you think!

269 comments
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I was skeptical too, and now I have one similar to this almost every day. Try adding some frozen berries to it, and the color should be a little more of a purple. Plus, I drink mine out of a tinted water bottle so I can't really see the green!

That's so funny because I just did a post on this a week or so ago ... same EXACT recipe except: banana is sliced and frozen and I use plain yogurt that I freeze in ice cube trays. Easy and good ... I make mine after I work out.

If you like experimenting, try using Kale instead of spinach. It's super nutritious. http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/the-truth-about-kale. If you add sweetener, you should only use non-chemically produced Stevia or Xylitol which is a sugar alcohol sweetener used as a naturally occurring sugar substitute. It is found in the fibers of many fruits and vegetables.The recipe above calls for peanut butter and almond milk. I use raw almond butter and cocunut milk.

I also love PB2. It is great just as peanut butter (mixed with water) or in shakes. I also like the PB2 with Premium Chocolate powder! This I love in protein shakes as well as mixed with plain greek yogurt! ~Gina

I just don't know if I can justify 6 points on that. I know the veggies/fruits are all healthy, but I have a breakfast sandwich for 6 points + a banana every morning and feel that I'm getting the all my food groups. Plus it's not GREEN:) I may just have to try it though.

Hi Gina! Love green monster smoothies as well! you really cant taste the spinach at all. I keep frozen spinach and use it all the time, in things like mealoaf and burgers. Kids like the smoothies too! If you want to keep the ww points low I just use a banana and PB the rest is water or ice cubs, not as thick as with milk or water but it's only 4 points... you can use any variation you want.. just make sure to use spinach!!

I love green smoothies! They are the perfect start to the day! Though, I'd be careful about mixing dairy products with greens. It can cause digestion issues. But, I love my green smoothie! So glad you liked it! :)

The OJ makes your healthy smoothie not so healthy. Each serving of pure fruit juice may already contain as much as eight teaspoons of natural sugar called fructose. While fructose may better benefit the fresh juice drinker than glucose found in table sugars, it still is nonetheless rich in calories that require to be burned by the body so as not turn into stored fat. Whole fruits, on the other hand, contain all the health-beneficial nutrients found in fruit juices, fructose included. Whole fruits, however, carry the natural fibers that facilitate better fructose absorption of the body.

I often drink a green smoothie in the mornings using a similar recipe, but mine calls for a banana, blueberries, spinach, soy milk, ground flaxseed, and ice. It is so good and much better than it looks!

Everyone refers to spinach smoothies as "Green Monster" smoothies . . . and you'd have to research them to figure out Oh She Glows was supposedly the girl to first come up with that name. I'm not sure crediting her with the name is necessary. Not like she has it copyrighted or anything.

I make a variation of this every morning. 10-12oz water, 1 frozen banana, 1 large handful frozen fruit mix (berries...from Walmart), Vanilla protein powder (2 scoops, as it is the serving size)and about 2 large handfuls of spinach. I blend it until it is completely pureed & smooth...about 30 seconds. (I have a vitamix blender) Usually is a deep purple color. This gives me about 24 oz of smoothie and fills me for at least a couple of hours. You do not taste the spinach. I mostly taste banana. Also every once in a while I throw in a handful of almonds. It really is a good smoothie.

I love to start the day with green smoothies during the summer, but never really think of them at this time of year. I learned at a Vitamix Demonstration that pineapple is a great addition to green smoothies. It really helps to sweeten it and would make a great alternative to banana.

My son and I have these green smoothies every morning. He loves them and I love them. So good. I haven't tried peanut butter but may have too. If you are going to use flax seeds make sure you grind them up first.

I got off of my Green Smoothie kick, but am planning to get back on. This recipe got me thinking again, thanks! I used to do them with whatever frozen fruit I had, spinach, light Vanilla Soy milk (my preference over almond), and ground flax seed. So easy and so tasty. I've been drinking protein shakes, so I'd like to find a type of protein powder I can add for fewer calories and no major flavor change. Hmm.

I felt the same way about green monsters. I remember thinking, there's no way you can't taste the spinach. But everyone raved about them, so I gave them a skeptical try. Delicious!! My favorite way to make one is almost identical to yours. I use one cup of dark chocolate almond milk, 2 cups fresh spinach, 1 tablespoon PB2, and one frozen banana (sliced before freezing). It's so, so good. The banana gives it the perfect consistency and the whole thing tastes like a chocolate peanut butter banana milkshake. Yum!

Thanks for this recipe! I have been drinking commercial organic big-mean-green-goodness beverages for years....usually when I felt that I was low on fruit and veg consumption. Grossed people out at work but that's because they didn't taste it! Fresh and yummy! Now I can make at home. May use soy products. Keep the healthy yummies coming! :)

What else can I use instead of the unsweetened vanilla almond milk? I would never drink it and I don't want to buy just to make this - would skim milk work? Also, what is PB2? BTW - Gina thanks for all your recipes! I found your blog about a month ago on pinterest and have already made several things - me and the hubby haven't minded our new years healthy eating resolution at all!

Frozen mango, peaches, and pineapple are all great fruits to add with spinach, without making it turn brown and visually unpleasing. My kids love the bright green color it makes. We call it our "Shrek" drink!

I've seen this smoothie posted on many websites and blogs. I've always been skepital--but I've gotten more adventerous as to trying new healthy foods/beverages in the last year. I've just started doing the "30 day breakfast challenge" and I think now may be the perfect time to be brave and try this. I mean, what's the worst that can happen right? And who knows, I may end up liking it!

I love Green Smoothies! I use either frozen pineapple, mango or peaches with frozen bananas (I freeze those myself), spinach, flaxseed and water. I love the taste of adding darker berries, but they change the color so much and I've grown to love that bright green color :) My favorite breakfast!

Gina- thanks for all the great recipes! I recently lost over 20 pounds on WW and reached my goal! Your recipes really helped me out! My reward after working out is a smoothie with spinach, unsweetened vanilla almond milk, frozen strawberries,chocolate protein powder and Just great stuff powdered peanut butter. LOVE IT!!!

Just for those that were asking about substitute for bananas..frozen mango also has a creamy texture. Though, I like bananas the best. Or try almond or coconut milk for a creamy texture. I just tried this pumpkin pie smoothie recipe...yummy:

I am right there with ya... I've never actually had a green monster smoothie! There is just something about the green stuff that doesn't sit well with me incorporating it into a smootie... but I must admit I love the fact you added peanut butter. That makes the green stuff worth it. Totally.

Hey...I jumped this morning and ran to get my spinach! I had seen these all over the place but never thought to try...until recently that I've been calorie counting and realized I'm not eating my vegetables and fruits daily! So I figured this would be a great way to get it all in (or most of it for that matter) I added ground flaxseed to mine. I just had some leftover and it got thicker, almost like a shake consistency becuase of the ground flax. YUMMO!!! I am sold!

I would love to start having these for breakfast but I commute 1 hr & 45 minutes to work. Would these hold up well in a thermos. I leave to early to have my breakfast so I always have it at work? Thanks

Gina, great minds must think alike... I have just started getting into green smoothies, too! I don't add any nut butter, and use ground flax seed in mine ( it still gives it a bit of a nutty taste). Also, try it with mangos and pineapples instead of banana, and use water instead of the almond milk if you prefer.. Delicious!

Thank you so much for this. I went right out to stock up on the spinach for this drink. This is a welcome addition to my diet especially since I am not really a breakfast kind of person. I love all the variations people are suggesting to keep it new. THanks Gina

I drink a Visilas shake every morning. After this recipe I added two very large handsfull of NBaby spring mix greens. I fixed one this morning for my Husband. He said YUK when I sat it down to him but after drinking said it was really good. I said yes, I thought it had a nutty taste. He said"theresa peanut butter in it" I said no theres not. It really DOES taste like it has PB in it. I'll do this every morning.thanks for the Idea

Made this for me and the hubby this morning - it was delish! a slight taste of peanut butter and some sweetness from the banana. I little less protein than the whey protein we usually have. A great change and alternative with lots of other good vitamins that the whey shake doesn't have. Thanks for the recipe!

I've recently joined WW and a friend recommended this 0 point "green monster":

- handful frozen mixed berries (I like strawberries and blueberries) - frozen mango - handful fresh kale, stems removed - handful fresh baby spinach - 1 packet of splenda - water (I use about 3/4 cup to get to the right consistency. Less water if you like it thicker.)

Put everything in the blender and blend.

My friend also recommended Cuisinart's CPB-300 SmartPower blender. You can blend the drink directly in the plastic glass that you will drink it from. I make one for breakfast every morning. 4minutes start to finish and I'm out the door and on my way with the Green Monster in hand (and therefore 2 of my 5 veggies for the day).

Never in a million years did I think I would like this. I look forward to it every morning. It has changed my life - literally. Clearly, my friend is very smart!

Gina, I love your site. Thanks for all you do to help those of us struggling with the tremendous challenge of weight loss.

I make something similar to this every morning for breakfast. I am watching my sugars/carbs so I don't use bananas or yogurt. My smoothies consist of 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder, 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1-2 tbs natural peanut butter, 2 cups of spinach, a handful of ice cubes. Sometimes I will do 1/2 cup of frozen blueberries instead of the spinach. It's so yummy and fills me up for 3-4 hours.

Thanks Gina and the rest of you who are posting great recipes and alternatives. I don't like PB so thanks to those who posted other ways of creating this "green monster". Other suggested ways to keep this low in points and w/ out PB - are welcome!

Thank you Gina! I've been making fruit smoothies every morning and who would of thought I could add spinach?! I had to make one this morning - spinach, soya milk, frozen banana and some vanilla paste ;) OH YUM! It's my new favourite. This is just the beginning! thank you.

We just bit the bullet and tried this. We used vanilla soy milk, no yogurt, and some ice cubes. I admit it was hard to get over the greenness, but we were pleasantly surprised it just tasted like peanut butter and banana, and there were no strange textures either. We will make it again!

I love green smoothies! I also was hesitant at first "What are these green smoothies I keep hearing about?" I was so glad when I tried one. You definitely don't taste the spinach, all you taste is the sweetness of the fruit and whatever other ingredients you add (sometimes I add peanut butter, almond butter or other nut butters but sometimes I keep it simple with just fruit, greens, water and ice). It is fun to see the frightened looks people give me when they see me drinking it....that is until they try it for themselves!

I'm in the "was skeptical and now a convert" group for this one. I started adding spinach to my smoothies a few weeks ago, I love the extra nutrients I'm getting from it. I also use PB2 (trying to use up the choc PB flavor I have) occasionally but my favorite is still mango, pineapple and coconut extract with the other usual ingredients.

I made this yesterday and it was amazing! Even my husband liked it! We now have a new breakfast smoothie. I did change out the greek yogurt for Weight Watchers yogurt (1. not a big fan of greek yogurt 2. on a budget and saved about $3) and added just a little more then what was called for. It worked out great!

Thank you so much for creating this website! I have been cooking from it for the past few weeks and I haven't found a dish that we don't like. Plus having left overs for lunch instead of "making a lunch" is great in the morning! Trying to eat healthy is tough, but you make it so easy. Thank you also for adding WW information!!

This is similar to what I drink most every day, but I use spinach, frozen blueberries, and just a few slices of banana (watching sugar content). I add water to make it the consistency I want and Kefir to get lots of good yeast and protein into the mix.

I have a green monster smoothie almost everyday. I use coconut water (very hydrating and fewer calories than yogurt or milk), spinach, and whatever combination of fruit you like. I usually add banana, frozen pineapple and an orange or mango, peach and a banana. Soo yummy!

can you make this smoothie the night before? i'd like to get my husband to drink one but he wont do anything in the morning that requires time. so i was thinking i could make it up the night before pop it in the fridge and he can grab and go for his ride into work.

Oh my! This smoothie is awesome. I was pretty leary about it at first, but I've done a complete overhaul with my diet, so this seemed up my new alley. It's sweet, but not too sweet and you can't taste the spinach at all. Very good! Excited to experiment with different greens and fruits.

I just found this site 4 days ago and have tried 3 recipes, LOVED them all so I WILL ne trying this smoothie. Chicken Enchiladas were out of the world, along with the Avocado chicken soup. Tonight there were no leftovers on the garlic mashed potatoes:::)))

@Frugal in Florida... I just made my first Green Monster and did it exactly the way you mentioned!! Never even thought to freeze the yogurt in an ice tray until I saw it mentioned on Pinterest. Just so handy! This smoothie is pretty dang tasty! Spinach... who would've thought? I hope it's as energizing as everyone says. I need that!

If you want to try any other green smoothies, Vitamix has some posted on their website. Just go to the recipe section and search "green smoothies". So far I've tried Going Green and Kale And Pear and they're delicious! I make them ahead of time an freeze them in bags :) Some of their recipes call for wheat grass, but my dietitian friend says as far as nutrition goes, you can substitute kale or spinach.

I have been making this for months but minus and milk or PB. Just water, Greek yogurt, spinach, banana, berries, mango, peach... whatever fruit I am in the mood for. I believe it comes out to 1 point. I am thinking of adding the PB2. Do you make it in to PB or use just the powder?

Hi Gina!!! I seriously CANNOT stop drinking these I may need Green Monster rehab!! I even make them the night before and bring them in travel bottles to work. Am considering giving up meat for lent and will be surviving on these happily if I do!!!

This is a great smoothie! I have tried several "green" smoothies in the past, but I always struggled to get them down because I always tasted the spinach (or other greenery that might have been in it). I only taste the peanut butter, banana, and vanilla yogurt -- no spinach! I am super excited to make another one tomorrow. Thank you so much!

* I substituted vanilla yogurt in place of the almond milk and plain yogurt.

The fat is really good for you and you keep missing that in your posts. 60-80 % of your nervous system is built around fat and your posts continue putting things with plenty of carbs and sugars. Sugars and carbs are the culprits of fat build up on the body not fat from the diet. The fats you eat help your body build nerves and assimilate fat soluble vitamins like A, E, D, & K.

I use a very similar recipe! What I do in mine is I put vanilla yogurt instead of plain, use a frozen banana and use half peanut butter and half nutella for a nice pb chocolate combo. I've also started using three drops of either maple or vanilla extract...depending on my mood (=I am addicted to these smoothies! They are so fun to experiment with.

Thank you for this recipe. I am trying to lose weight after my first baby, and I was plateauing after 10 lbs. But, I started having these for breakfast for the past 5 days or so and am seeing my weight start to drop again - yay! Most smoothies are so full of sugar, that they end up being fattening. I think this is an easy way to load up on greens. I make mine with Almond Butter.

I must admit I was very skeptical about trying this smoothie. I had a friend who had told me all about it, so I decided I would give it a try. I love spinach and I love bananas, just was not sure about mixing all of them together. I substituted peanut butter for almond butter, since I dont like peanut butter as much.The result: AMAZING! I Love it!! I will recommend it to everyone i know! thank you skinnytaste!

I asked before but my comment is gone so i must have done something wrong. Is there a way to make this ahead and freeze it or something? I tried it and it tasted ok but came out gritty. I can't use my vitamix in the morning 'cause my husband is still sleeping usually and i don't want to wake him but in the summer my mornings start at an ungodly hour so something like this would be great.

This being said i drank half the smoothie (froze the other half) and super yummy! Thanks Gina i love your site. i sometimes get the e-mails but sometimes not so i make sure to check daily, wouldn't want to miss something yummy :)

Wow - this is the recipe that gave me the push to try them. I made one this morning and it was unsweetend vanilla almond milk, spinach, banana and then i added half cup of blueberries. I like a runnier smoothie so opted to not use the yogurt. Amazing how you really cant taste the spinach, that made me super happy.

I have a green smoothie for breakfast almost every morning, but mine has no fat, and only counts as 1 weight watchers point, as fruits and veggies are free on weight watchers. I make mine with ice, water, either spinach or kale (I think spinach is actually a little sweeter), 1 tbsp of flax seeds (this is there the 1 weight watchers point comes in), apples or peaches, depending on the season, banana, pineapple and berries. I use all fresh ingredients becuase it's easier than frozen. It's good for you, tastes good and uses only 1 of my 29 weight watchers points a day!

has anyone ever tried making this and then freezing for a bit?? im curious if i make it before i go to the gym, freeze it, then drink it about 2 hours later if that would be okay or if it would turn frozen solid?

I love these but I skip the PB and just use FF vanilla or plain greek (chobani). i am going to have to try freezing the Yogurt into cubes, that sounded like a great tip. I usually use just a couple inches of frozen banana, 3-4 frozen strawberries, and half of a peeled orange. Sometimes I throw in a scoop of vanilla protein powder too. yummy!

Ok Chelsey Varela I will give it a try since I am on a diet and need something like this to take on the go with me.. Sure hope I like it... I hate spinach but you say you can't taste it.. so I will try... Anita

I have made one of these smoothies almost everyday for breakfast since I found the recipe. On the days that I don't have all of the ingredients I have been eating cereal and I found that I am hungry almost immediately. The smoothie will keep my hunger at bay for at least two hours until my first snack. I love your recipes and your website!

Im really excited to try this in the morning! can any one tell me if this keeps you full throughout the morning if you have it for breakfast? Im used to a heartier breakfast of wheat toast with PB and I am worried I will be hungry ? Hope not !

Hey Gina! I've been wanting to try one of these for severeal months now, and finally did thanks to your recipe! I pretty much told myself that almost every recipe of yours is fabulous so this should be my starting point for a green smoothie. It's yummy! Thanks so much for sharing all your delicious recipes with us!

Quick question, is there something that I can sub for the Almond Milk? They don't sell it here where I live. I found a recipe to make it home made, but not sure how that will turn out, I was hoping to make it today. Thanks!